Welcome to T4

 Term 4 2012

Kia Ora Koutou!

Welcome to Term 4 of 2012. It’s hard to believe we are now in the final term of the year. Firstly, a huge thank you to everyone who supported our very successful production, ‘The Uno Effect’, at the end of Term 3. It was a huge undertaking for everyone involved, the children performed fabulously on stage and they thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.

As usual, Term 4 is set to be another busy one.  Below is a run down on the term. Feel free to contact your child’s classroom teacher if there is anything you wish to discuss further.

Literacy

Our major writing focus for this term is persuasive writing, where we will be exploring how advertising is used to persuade others. We will also be looking at poetry and short stories as a minor focus through the term.  Our Reading lessons will continue to focus on developing comprehension skills and will be linked to our inquiry topic.

Numeracy

We start the term revising some key concepts from the year. We will be focusing particularly on the operational strategies of addition/subtraction and multiplication/division. We will also be looking at algebra as well.  Please continue to encourage your children at home with their Mathletics, particularly their basic facts.

Inquiry

Our big idea is: ‘Live Right, Feel Great’. All classes will be involved in an inquiry where each child will develop a healthy menu for children. Their task will involve preparing for a ‘Master Chef’ experience during our EOTC week.

Health

Towards the end of the term Year 5 classes will be involved in revisiting the concepts around ‘Peer Mediation’. This is a programme created by the Peace Foundation and is part of their ‘Cool Schools’ initiative. In this programme the children will learn the skills of resolving conflict. At the end of the programme the Year 5 students will have an opportunity to apply to be a Peer Mediator in the playground at lunchtime so they can put these skills to good use. This will be an excellent leadership opportunity for children when they are in Year 6.

Physical Education

An exciting term for PE is planned, starting off with Athletics. The children will be taking part in Long Jump, High Jump, Vortex, Shot put, Quoit and Sprints. This leads in nicely to our school athletics day and Zone competition. We end the term with Swimming starting again down at the local pool.

EOTC Week

EOTC will be in Week 9 (10^th-14^th December) and planning is currently underway. Activities will be finalized by the end of next week.  As usual, we will need a lot of parent support for these days. More information will be sent home once ideas and dates are confirmed.

Year 5 and 6 Camp 2013

There will be a meeting for Forest Lakes Camp 2013 towards the end of the term. Details will be sent out closer to the time. You might like to consider whether you would like to be a parent supervisor, preference will be given to parents who can attend the whole week.  The dates for our camp are 19-22 March 2013.

*Important Reminders

Homework

Homework will be given out each Monday and is due back in on Friday.  The continued focus for homework is the basics: reading, spelling and maths – using Mathletics.  The ‘classroom activity’ aspect of the homework will be based around our inquiry learning and will also use ‘Ryan’s Thinking Keys (http://www.tonyryan.com.au/home/innovation/thinkers-keys/).

Syndicate Assemblies

In term 4 we will continue to have ‘informal’ syndicate assemblies.  We found that this worked very well last term and we will continue to have these meetings but on a fortnightly basis.  We will blog/email the minutes of each meeting.   

  

Class Blogs

The class blogs are a great way for you to capture a ‘glimpse’ of what is gong on in/outside of the classroom.  We encourage you to visit often!  We would also like to see the students commenting on the posts that are made, as it is a great way for the students to reflect.

Portfolios

If you still have your child’s portfolio please return it for updating this term. They will go out at the end of the term with the reports.

Stationery Check

Many students are now missing pens, pencils and rulers. These are necessary for everyday class work. Can you please ask your child if they need any items and replace them. Thank you.

Sun Hats & Drink Bottles

It’s term 4 and each child needs a hat to wear everyday outside. It needs to be a wide brimmed hat, not a cap and ideally should be left at school in their desk for easy access. Thank you to those students who have remembered. Students not wearing hats have to stay in the shade area by the junior rooms.  It is also recommended the children have their own named drink bottle at school. As the days get warmer it’s important they are fully hydrated.

Footwear and clothing

This term we need students to wear clothing that is suitable for outdoor sport. Please ensure your child wears shoes that they can run easily in (especially on Friday’s as this is our syndicate sport (athletics) day.  Jandals and boots are not appropriate.

If you have any concerns or worries please contact your child’s teacher by leaving a phone message at the office or by email: teachers surname @ muritai.school.nz.

Mauri ora! Kia ora!

The Year 5 and 6 team,

Deane McKay

Murray McMillan

Raihania Chadwick

Kirsten Berry